Retainer for poultry hocks

ABSTRACT

A device for retaining and trussing the hocks of poultry carcass in juxtaposition and proximal to the body during processing, packaging, shipping, storage, and/or cooking. The present invention, including hock retaining members, may be constructed of a unitary, plate-like member of resilient material and it includes two openings for fitting about and retaining the hocks, an anchor to be affixed to the poultry carcass, and a connecting means between the hock retaining members and the anchor. The connecting members provides a spring force to keep the hocks and thus the legs juxtaposed to the carcass and each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a device for trussing orretaining the hocks of poultry carcasses and more particularly to aretainer that can engage the hocks of a poultry carcass to retain thelegs in juxtaposition during processing, packaging, shipping andpossibly cooking.

2. Prior Art

As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, the processing, packagingand shipping of poultry carcasses can be made easier by creatingrelative uniformity amongst trussed poultry carcasses. For example, ifthe hocks of poultry carcasses are protruding from the animal carcass,then the extending limbs can interfere with packaging machinery and tearthe shrink-wrap. Trussing the hocks, thereby holding the legs togetherclose to the body, can help to avoid this problem. Further, it is easierto cook a trussed poultry carcass, especially on a rotisserie, as thelegs will be retained against the body and not flop about. Similarly, asthe poultry carcasses can be cooked more easily, there is an addedbenefit of trussing poultry carcasses to consumers, and this can beexploited by advertising by the retailer.

Over the years, many brackets, clamps, retainers, and similar deviceshave been developed for retaining or trussing the hocks of poultrycarcasses during cooking, shipping, and processing, some of metal andwire, but most of nylon or plastic. Not surprisingly, the prior artdiscloses many means for trussing the hocks of poultry carcasses. Whilethe known prior art has advantages for certain situations, there is aconstant need for poultry trussing devices that are less expensive tomanufacture, are easier to mount on the hocks, are easier to dismountfrom the hocks, are less costly to ship, that hold the hocks moresecurely, and that can be mounted automatically if desired, orcombinations of these. A few exemplary trussing devices are discussedbelow.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,370 to Volk discloses a hock cap covering the entirehock wherein such a hock cap has a figure-8 structure with an anklestrap having a lower portion that engages the back side of the ankles.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,274 to Volk discloses a snap-on ankle strappoultry-trussing device wherein the plastic ankle strap has a lowerportion having an indent that extends upwardly between the exposed hocksof the carcass. The ankle strap is slipped over the exposed hocks,grasps the ankles of the poultry carcass, and holds them together.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,880 to Volk discloses a method of trussing poultryby making slits in the skin and passing the hocks through the slits andthen attaching a snap-on hock cap to hold the hocks together.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,201 to Volk discloses a retainer for poultry hocksthat is formed as an oblong ring of a thin unitary plastic. The ring hasa plurality of prong portions extending inward. The poultry hocks areinserted through the ring and the prongs engage the poultry legs so asto hold the hocks in juxtaposition.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,736 to Volk discloses a retainer for poultry hocksthat is formed as an oblong ring of a thin unitary plastic. The ring hasa plurality of prong portions extending inward. The poultry hocks areinserted through the ring and the prongs engage the poultry legs so asto hold the legs substantially perpendicular to the retainer andparallel to each other.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,778 to Volk discloses a retainer for poultry hocksthat is formed as a ring of a thin unitary plastic material. The ringhas hinged flaps extending inward from opposite sides thereof. Thepoultry hocks are inserted through the ring to cause the flaps to bendoutward and then to partially retract backward so that the edges of theflaps engage behind the hock knuckles, holding the thighs close to thebody of the fowl. Preferably, either the ring or the flaps are cut awayto increase the length of the hinge area.

The present invention is directed towards providing a hock retainergenerally for trussing poultry carcasses and specifically for fittingabout the hocks so as to hold the legs proximal to each other and to thebody of the carcass. The present invention is also directed towards arelatively simple device that can be manufactured simply andinexpensively, and easily is mounted on and dismounted from the hocksautomatically by machine or manually by personpower. The presentinvention further is directed towards a hock retainer that has lessinteraction or contact with packaging materials.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, the present invention is a device for retaining andtrussing the hocks of a poultry carcass in juxtaposition and proximal tothe body during processing, packaging, shipping, storage, and/orcooking. The new poultry trussing device can be used to hold the hocksof poultry in place for efficient processing. The invention has twoopenings to receive the hock portions of the poultry legs and mayinclude a central first tab section above the openings. Some of thefeatures of the device include (1) half-moon notches on the openings toreceive the hocks of each poultry leg locked therein and (2) a firsttab, or reinforced extension, that curves downward and positions itselfaround the inside of each leg.

A first end of the present invention has a hock retaining portion thatreceives and retains the tops of the hocks and a second end has ananchor that may be inserted into the cavity of the carcass or in thetail section of the carcass. In addition, the hock retaining portion ispreferably rotatable. In use, the hock retaining means are rotatedapproximately 180°, the hocks are placed in the hock retaining means,and the hock retaining means are released. The hock retaining meansattempt to return (rotate back) to their original position, thus lockingthe hocks. The half moon notches fit over the hocks with end-pointsfitting within the hock dimples, and the central tab fits between theankles, thus helping to secure the hocks.

The present invention may be constructed as a unitary, plate-like memberof resilient material. The retainer can be mounted on the hocks by asingle upward or downward motion of the retainer over the hocks. As theretainer is placed, or snapped, over the hock, the hock is caught in theretainer. Because the hock receiving openings are juxtaposed and thehocks of the poultry carcass are loaded into the hock receivingopenings, the loading of the hocks into the retainer convenientlyjuxtaposes the hocks proximal to each other.

The relatively simple mechanism for loading the retainer with the hocksof the poultry carcass can allow for efficient mounting by hand or byautomation. Poultry processing workers use an upward or downward motionto mount the retainer onto the hocks. Alternatively, as the retainer canhave a generally plate-like configuration, which is an optimal shape tobe fitted in an automated poultry-processing machine, the retainer canbe incorporated efficiently into an automated process or operation. Atab may be located on the retainer which tab may include a hole for usein an automated machine for placing the retainer on the poultry carcass.The retainer also can have a slot for mounting onto a supply bar eitherfor storing a number of the retainers or for feeding the retainers intoan automated retainer-mounting machine. Further, as the presentinvention has a generally simple structure, the device can bemanufactured relatively easily and inexpensively and can be mountedquickly and efficiently on the hocks.

These features, and other features and advantages of the presentinvention, will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in therelevant art when the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings in whichlike reference numerals represent like components throughout the severalviews.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an eviscerated poultry carcass.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the retainer ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3A is a front view of the retainer of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the retainer ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3C is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the retainer ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the retainer of FIG. 3A/3B.

FIG. 4B is a side view of a preferred embodiment the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a partial top section view of a first tab portion of thepresent invention along line 5A of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5B is a partial top section view of a preferred first tab portionof the present invention along line 5A of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5C is a partial top section view of a preferred first tab portionof the present invention along line 5A of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a retainer of the present invention in apre-application state.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a retainer of the present invention in placeon a representative poultry carcass.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation showing a side view of anembodiment of the retainer of the present invention in place on apoultry carcass.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation showing a side view of anembodiment of the retainer of the present invention in place on apoultry carcass.

FIG. 10 is perspective view of the retainer of the present invention onthe hocks of an exemplary poultry carcass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now generally to FIGS. 1-10, preferred embodiments of theinvention are shown. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an evisceratedpoultry carcass 10 with an open abdominal cavity 20. The illustrationshows the eviscerated poultry carcass 10 having legs 12, 14 with thefeet removed, terminating in exposed hocks 16, 18, respectively. FIG. 2is a perspective view of an embodiment of the retainer of the presentinvention. The illustration shows a trussing device 24 with hockretaining means 26. FIG. 3A is a front view of the retainer of FIG. 2.FIGS. 3B and 3C are front views of alternate embodiments the presentinvention. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are side views of retainers according tothe present invention. FIG. 5A is a partial top section view of a firsttab portion of the present invention. FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C are partialtop section views of preferred embodiment first tab portions of thepresent invention. FIG. 6 is a front view of a retainer of the presentinvention in a pre-application state. FIG. 7 is a front view of aretainer of the present invention in place on a representative poultrycarcass. FIG. 8 is a schematic representation showing a side view of anembodiment of the retainer of the present invention in place on apoultry carcass in a first anchoring direction, with the anchor withinthe tail section of the carcass. FIG. 9 is a schematic representationshowing a side view of an embodiment of the retainer of the presentinvention in place on a poultry carcass in a second anchoring direction,with the anchor within the cavity of the carcass. FIG. 10 is perspectiveview of the present invention on the hocks of an exemplary poultrycarcass.

The eviscerated poultry carcass shown generally as 10 in FIG. 1 hashocks 16, 18 of respective legs 12, 14. Trussing device 24 of thepresent invention, as shown in FIG. 2, has a hock retaining means 26that is designed to hold together exposed hocks 16, 18 of poultrycarcass 10 of FIG. 1, which can be particularly advantageous duringprocessing, packaging, shipping, storing, and/or cooking. Hock retainingmeans 26 has a generally flat top surface 28 and side walls 32, 34, 36and 38 that extend downwardly from top surface 28. Hock retaining means26 also has two hock retaining openings 40, 42.

The device 24 may further include one or more anchor means 50 that maybe provided with a bar 52 having curved and extending ends 54, 56 thatpermit the apparatus to be removably, but securely, attached to poultrycarcass 10 (as represented in FIGS. 8 and 9 in order to hold hocks 16,18 proximally in place). Extending ends 54, 56 may engage the interiorside walls of the poultry carcass or tail portion of a poultry carcassso as to secure the device 24 to the carcass 10. A connecting means thatmay consist of one or more straps 70, 72 extends between anchoring means50 and hock retaining means 26.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, each of hock retaining openings 40, 42preferably includes one or more half-moon notches 44 for receiving hocks16, 18. Half-moon notches 44 fit over the knuckles of hocks 16, 18. Theexact shape and curvature of half-moon notches 44 will be dependent onthe type of poultry hocks to be retained. Further, the positioning ofend-points 46 of half-moon notches 44 within the dimples between theknuckles of hocks 16, 18 is similarly variable. As is appreciated bythose skilled in the art, hock retaining means 26 can be manufactured inany number of sizes to be used with different size poultry, or in asingle one-size-fits-all size to fit a wide variety of poultry. However,as most poultry carcasses fit within certain size categories, the device24 as well as half-moon notches 44 can be manufactured in certainstandard sizes so as to fit a high percentage of the carcasses 10.

Further, if hock retaining means 26 is meant to be used with smallerchickens or even quail or squab, a distance D measured between openings40, 42 and/or width W (the width of openings 40, 42) can be narrowerthan if hock retaining means 26 is meant to be used with larger geese orturkeys. The length of openings 40, 42 also can be tailored to thepoultry being trussed. Distance D also can depend upon the resilience ofthe plastic material from which hock retaining means 26 is formed.However, it is preferable that distance D be less than the smallestoutside diameter of hocks 16, 18 to ensure that hocks 16, 18 remainsnapped in place within hock retaining means 26 and also to savematerial costs.

In addition, distance D and width W can be selected depending on therelative amount freedom of motion desired of hocks 16, 18 within hockretaining means 26. If width W is larger than the diameter of hocks 16,18, then hocks 16, 18 can have more relative freedom within hockretaining means 26, and thus move about more relative to each other(and, in extreme instances, hocks 16, 18 may be able to slip out oftheir respective opening 40, 42). Similarly, if width W is smaller thanthe diameter of hocks 16, 18, then hocks 16, 18 may have less relativefreedom of motion within hock retaining means 26 (and hocks 16, 18 maynot be fully seated within opening 40, 42). Width W is preferably aboutthe same width of, or no more than approximately the width of, hocks 16,18 as this size of width W can help ensure that hocks 16, 18 are securewithin hock retaining means 26 and can help prevent hock retaining means26 from slipping off.

The use of separate openings 40, 42, one for each of hocks 16, 18, hasseveral advantages. One advantage is that each hock 16, 18 is retainedseparately from the other hock 16, 18, thus allowing a more secureretention. Another advantage is that hocks 16, 18 are prevented fromoverlapping each other, thus preventing damage to poultry carcass 10and/or packaging. Another advantage is that openings 40, 42 need only beof the same relative size or diameter as a single hock 16, 18, thuspreventing slippage while mounted.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, openings 40, 42 may be rotated through anangle Φ in order to more accurately receive hocks 16, 18. It isunderstood that persons with skill in the art can determine theappropriate distance D and angle Φ based on factors related to thespecies of poultry and the type of material of manufacture.

A central first tab or first reinforced extension 60 may be present thatalso may include a first tab hole 62. First tab hole 62 can be used toreduce the quantity of material needed to produce trussing device 24 andto thus reduce the cost of truss device 24. The size and shape of firsttab 60 and first tab hole 62 will depend on their purpose, as will beappreciated by those of skill in the art. It is also of note that firsttab 60 can provide an excellent surface for advertising the name of themanufacturer of the truss device, or for other advertising purposes(flat top surface 28 also may be utilized for such purpose).

First tab 60 also may facilitate the manipulation required to inserthocks 16, 18 into hock retaining means 26 and to remove hocks 16, 18from hock retaining means 26 in order to remove the device 24 from apoultry carcass 10. First tab 60 should be constructed of sufficientthickness that it can withstand the application of sufficient force fora person to apply hock retaining means 26 without causing damage toeither hock retaining means 26 or to carcass 10. First tab 60 alsopreferably extends downward between, and positions itself around theinside of, the ankles of legs 12, 14 when applied to an evisceratedpoultry carcass in order to further keep hocks 16, 18 in positionrelative to hock retaining means 26.

A second tab 64 also can be carried by bar 52 that can serve some of thesame possible functions as first tab 60 and first tab hole 62. Forexample, second tab 64 may serve many ergonomic, mechanical, economicand/or other functions. For example, it can be used to facilitatestacking and storage of a plurality of trussing devices 24 and to keepthem in alignment. Alternatively, second tab 64 may be structured so asto allow one or more trussing devices 24 to be loaded onto a magazine ofa machine that automatically mounts retainers onto hocks. Alternatively,a cardboard runner for storing and organizing trussing devices 24 may beinserted through an opening in second tab 64. Also, second tab 64 can beused to facilitate insertion and removal of trussing device 24 fromcavity 20 (shown in FIG. 1) of carcass 10 (shown in FIG. 1).

FIG. 3C illustrates an alternate embodiment for hock openings 40, 42wherein their geometry is simplified from that of the half-moon notches44 of FIGS. 3A and 3B to having only curved end surfaces 45. FIG. 3Calso illustrates the hock retaining means 26 without tab 60 asdesignated by surface 61. Both end points 46 and tab 60 are optional.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate side views of two embodiments of the presentinvention. Though it acceptable for the present invention to beconstructed of uniform thickness for ease of manufacturing and stackingfor shipment as in FIG. 4A, this is not required and the variousportions may be constructed of any desired strength and thickness. Thus,although not shown, straps 70, 72 may be constructed of a smallerthickness than hock retaining portion 26. It is noted that because thepurpose of hock retaining portion 26 is to hold hocks 16, 18 in place,it may be preferably constructed to be somewhat more rigid than straps70, 72 that are to be somewhat flexible in their nature and purpose.Similarly, it is preferred that anchoring means 50 be somewhat rigid inorder to hold its shape, particularly after insertion, in order tofunction properly.

The preferred material for the present invention is nylon with athickness of hock retaining means 26 of up to approximately 0.30 inches,and preferably between 0.03 and 0.15 inches. This thickness rangeprovides sufficient rigidity for hock retaining means 26 to retain itsshape during and after shrink wrapping while permitting straps 70, 72 tobe adequately deformable via their narrow cross-section, such thatstraps 70, 72 enable the invention to be folded in order to be insertedinto poultry carcass 10. Plastics and other polymers also are suitableand can be selected by those of ordinary skill in the art based on theuse of the device. For example, a high melting temperature material canbe used for devices intended for use in cooking, while low meltingtemperature materials can be used for devices intended only forpackaging and display.

FIG. 5A shows a top sectional view of the portion of the presentinvention relating to first tab 60 and it shows an embodiment whereinfirst tab 60 is constructed with the same thickness as the rest of hockretaining means 26 (including straps 70, 72), thereby being veryeconomical to manufacture and requiring a relatively small amount ofmaterial. FIG. 5B shows a top sectional view of a preferred embodimentin which first tab 60 is wider than other portions of hock retainingmeans 26 and straps 70, 72. Though this embodiment requires morematerial and is somewhat more complicated to manufacture than theembodiment of FIG. 5A, a benefit is gained in that first tab 60 extendsdownward and can be inserted between legs 12, 14 of carcass 10 such thatlegs 12, 14 are prevented from moving inwards and/or touching once thedevice is in place. The surface that legs 12, 14 come into contact withis indicated by reference number 63 and may be termed as the impactsurface. A top sectional. view of another preferred embodiment is shownin FIG. 5C in which impact surface 63 is curved/contoured to receivelegs 12, 14. Although this is the most complicated of theserepresentative embodiments, it has an advantage in that it provides themost secure first tab 60 for receiving legs 12, 14 and for preventingtheir undesired movement, in that impact surface 63 is curved to fit thecurve of the poultry leg bone.

FIG. 6 shows the present invention in a pre-application state whereinhock retaining means 26 has been pivoted 180° about connecting points80, 82 of straps 70, 72, causing a twist in straps 70, 72. As straps 70,72 have an elastic quality, straps 70, 72 desire to return to theiruntwisted position. Thus, because this is not the position ofmanufacture, hock retaining means 26 is urged by such twistingdeformation to its original position. When device 24 is placed on hocks16, 18, this urging forces hocks 16, 18 to maintain their positionagainst carcass 10 and in juxtaposition to each other.

FIG. 7 illustrates hock retaining means 26 mounted on hocks 16, 18 oncarcass 10 from the top (that is, when carcass 10 is lying on its backwith the breast pointing upwards and wherein anchor means 50 is on theother side of legs 12, 14). This manner of mounting may be preferred forautomatic mounting or if retaining means 26 is labeled with advertisingor other information. As can be seen in this view, hocks 16, 18 fitwithin, but not through, respective openings 40, 42, with hock knuckles16A, 18A fitting within half-moon notches 44. End-points 46 fit betweenhock knuckles 16A, 18A. The combination of openings 40, 42, notches 44,and end-points 46 cooperate to secure hocks 16, 18 within device 24.Further, tab 60 extends between legs 12, 14 to maintain a desired degreeof separation between legs 12, 14 for better packaging, shipping anddisplay.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, two alternative installations of thepresent invention are shown. FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of hockretaining means 26 in which anchor means 50 is received into a tailsection of carcass 10 (shown in ghost lines) in a first anchoringdirection. FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative installation in whichanchor means 50 is received into abdominal cavity 20 of carcass 10(shown in ghost lines) in a second anchoring direction. Angle Φ ispreferred to be between approximately 20° and 40°, and more preferablyabout 25°. This angle Φ is preferred based upon research by the inventorthat shows that this angle allows for optimum performance of the presentinvention, particularly for turkey carcasses, and that if a smallerangle Φ is used, hocks 16, 18 are more likely to slip out of hockretaining means 26, or legs 12, 14 may hit the side of device 24.Extending ends 54, 56 contact the interior surface of carcass 10 to helpanchor device 24 onto carcass 10.

FIG. 10 shows that an application of hock retaining means 26 to carcass10 trusses hocks 16, 18 of carcass 10 together and helps maintain legs12, 14 proximal to carcass 10. Preferably, hocks 16, 18 are juxtaposedat a reasonable distance dictated primarily by the proximity of openings40, 42 to each other and the configuration of first tab 60. As openings40, 42 have been sized so that hocks 16, 18 can fit therein, but notnecessarily through, the poultry processor (or processing machine) canpinch hocks 16, 18 together and then either can snap hocks 16, 18 intoopenings 40, 42 or snap hock retaining means 26 over hocks 16, 18 withanchor means 50 secured into carcass 10 in a number of positions, two ofwhich are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. It is also important to note that theplacement of hock retaining means 26 on hocks 16, 18 may occur before oreven after the placement of anchor means 50.

Preferably, both hocks 16, 18 simultaneously enter openings 40, 42respectively. Once hocks 16, 18 are substantially within openings 40, 42and anchor means 50 is in position, straps 70, 72 will attempt to returnto their original positions and, as they are prevented from doing so,they keep hocks 16, 18 and thereby legs 12, 14 in constant force andthereby held against carcass 10. Further, straps 70, 72 act like aspring and such that if a sudden jolt forces legs 12, 14 to rise, straps70, 72 will react like a spring, thus providing a force to legs 12, 14to return them to their original, proximal positioning. Such a system isparticularly useful in the processing of poultry in which carcasses aretumbled in a spin chill to cool the poultry and unconstrained legs areapt to become damaged.

It is also contemplated that hock retaining means 26 can be loaded witha carcass 10 by automation. The generally plate-like configuration ofhock retaining means 26 facilitates automation of the process andoperation as these types of shapes can be fitted in a machine. Morespecifically, a machine can insert anchor means 50 into carcass 10, thendeflect (twist or rotate by up to approximately 200°) hock retainingmeans 26, then move position hock retaining means 26 over hocks 16, 18,thus locking hocks 16, 18 into proximate position relative to carcass10.

In another embodiment, hock retaining means 26 can also serve as a meansfor labeling or conveying information regarding carcass 10. Certaininformation pertaining to carcass 10 can be written on, imprinted on, orattached to hock retaining means 26. For example, hock retaining means26 can be imprinted with information to indicate characteristics such asthe type of the poultry or any flavoring added to the poultry.Additionally or alternatively, hock retaining means 26 can have a colorto indicate the type and/or flavoring of carcass 10. To provide morespace for labeling, surface 28 can be made of larger dimension.

The relatively simple structure of hock retaining means 26 can allow itto be manufactured relatively easily with inexpensive materials.Preferably, hock retaining means 26 can be molded from a single piece ofresilient material that can withstand cooking and processingtemperatures (which can approach and exceed 500° F.). Hock retainingmeans 26 can be formed of plastic or other resilient material thatpermits it to deflect and resume its original shape. Such plastics andother materials are evident to and known by those of skill in the art.

In operation, the trussing device of this invention may be applied tothe carcasses as quickly and easily as any device presently on themarket. The trussing device of the present invention affords a positiveand secure mechanism to hold the hocks together.

The foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiments and theappended figures have been presented only for illustrative anddescriptive purposes. They are not intended to be exhaustive and are notintended to limit the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodimentswere selected and described to best explain the principles of theinvention and its practical applications. One skilled in the art willrecognize that many variations can be made to the invention disclosed inthis specification without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

1. A retainer for use with a poultry carcass having legs with hocks, theretainer comprising: a hock retaining means including a first openingfor retaining a first hock and a second opening for retaining a secondhock from the poultry carcass, the hock retaining means retaining thefirst hock and the second hock in proximal juxtaposed relationship toeach other, wherein the openings include half-moon notches into whichknuckles of the hocks fit; anchor means removably insertable into thepoultry carcass, a plurality of end-points, each of which lies betweentwo adjacent of the half-moon notches for fitting within dimples betweenthe knuckles of the hocks, and connecting means between the hockretaining means and the anchor means, wherein the first opening and thesecond opening each have a width no more than approximately the width ofthe hocks, whereby the combination of the first opening and the secondopening with the respective half-moon notches and end-points cooperateto secure the hocks within, but not through, the first opening and thesecond opening, thereby securing the hocks within the hock retainingmeans.
 2. The retainer of claim 1, wherein the connecting means providesa spring force to keep the hock retaining means in relative position tothe first hock, second hock, and the carcass, wherein the hock retainingmeans is rotatable from an original position relative to the anchormeans, whereby when the hocks are placed in the hock retaining means andthe hock retaining means are released, the hock retaining means attemptsto rotate back to the original position so as to maintain the hocksposition against the carcass and in juxtaposition to each other.
 3. Theretainer of claim 1, further comprising a first tab that is insertablebetween a first leg and a second leg of the carcass wherein the firsttab prevents the first leg and the second leg from moving inwardlyrelative to each other.
 4. The retainer of claim 1, wherein two of thehalf-moon notches are assigned to each of the knuckles of the hocks. 5.(canceled)
 6. The retainer of claim 2, wherein the hock retaining meansis rotatable approximately 180° relative to the anchor means so as tocreate the spring force.
 7. The retainer of claim 1, wherein theretainer is unitary.
 8. The retainer of claim 1, wherein the retainer ismade from a material capable of withstanding food-cooking temperatures.9. The retainer of claim 1, wherein the retainer has a color indicatingmeans.
 10. The retainer of claim 1, wherein the retainer has informationregarding the poultry carcass.
 11. A substantially planar and unitaryretainer for use with a poultry carcass with a first hock and a secondhock wherein: the retainer is mounted to receive the first hock andsecond hock such that the first hock and the second hock are juxtaposedto each other, the first hock and second hock are each received intorespective separate openings in the retainer, the openings includehalf-moon notches that are assigned to knuckles of the first hock andthe second hock, and a plurality of end-points, each of which liesbetween two adjacent half-moon notches on the openings, fit withindimples between knuckles of the first hock and the second hock, whereinthe openings each have a width no more than approximately the width ofthe hocks, whereby the combination of the openings with the respectivehalf-moon notches and end-points cooperate to secure the hocks within,but not through, the openings, thereby securing the hocks within thehock retaining means.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The retainer of claim 11further comprising: anchor means removably insertable into the poultrycarcass, and connecting means between the hock retaining means and theanchor means.
 14. The retainer of claim 13, wherein the connecting meansprovides a spring force to keep the hock retaining means in relativeposition to the first hock and the second hock and the hock retainingmeans in relative position to the carcass wherein the hock retainingmeans is rotatable 180° from an original position relative to the anchormeans, whereby when the hocks are placed in the hock retaining means andthe hock retaining means are released, the hock retaining means attemptsto rotate back to the original position so as to maintain the hocksposition against the carcass and in juxtaposition to each other.
 15. Theretainer of claim 14 further comprising a first tab that is insertablebetween a first leg and a second leg of the carcass wherein the firsttab prevents the first leg and the second leg from moving inwardlyrelative to each other.
 16. The retainer of claim 14, wherein at leasttwo of the half-moon notches are assigned to each of the knuckles of thehocks.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The retainer of claim 16, wherein the retaineris made from a material capable of withstanding food-cookingtemperatures.
 19. The retainer of claim 18, wherein the retainer has acolor indicating means.
 20. The retainer of claim 18, wherein theretainer has information regarding the poultry carcass.